Can't-Miss Sights at Baltimore Light City

Lindsay Pullen

Sr. Manager, Destination Marketing Baltimore

Baltimore’s Light City, the “nation’s only large-scale international light and ideas festival,” now in its third year, promises to be bigger and brighter than ever. This year’s theme, “More Love, More Lights!” says it all—this year, there are three phases to the event: Neighborhood Lights from April 6-8, the Festival from April 14-21, and Labs@ Light City from April 18-21.

The festival map is expansive, as Light City features installations and events throughout numerous Baltimore neighborhoods. Check out some of Light City 2018’s can’t-miss moments:

BGE Light Art Walk: The centerpiece of Light City, the BGE Light Art Walk surrounds Baltimore’s Inner Harbor with unique light installations created just for the festival. Check out the view of The Octopus, a large-scale automated sculpture, from the Pier 5 Hotel. Then continue around the harbor to explore Pulse Portal, a 20-foot archway of iridescent light. From there it’s less than a 5-minute walk to the Hilton Garden Inn Baltimore Inner Harbor, where you can rest up for the next night of lights.

WINDMILLS International Dance Festival: This celebration of European dance kicks off at 11 am on Saturday, April 14. More than 100 dancers will demonstrate traditional moves from across the continent, from Germany to Finland, Lithuania, Estonia and beyond. Souvenirs and ethnic food vendors will complete what’s sure to be a memorable party. When you’re all tuckered out from practicing your new moves, the Hilton Baltimore offers plenty of space to relax just a half-mile away.

Community Love – Art with a Heart: Everyone is invited to join local art advocacy organization Art with a Heart to contribute to a community art project on April 16th! You’ll be working alongside countless others to create a mosaic piece for the local community to enjoy. If the weather is good, enjoy a leisurely walk from the Inn at the Colonnade through Johns Hopkins campus to the site of the event.

LIT City Baltimore: If you’d rather dance the night away, Dine Baltimore’s LIT City dance party inside the St. Paul Street light tunnel should be a must-do. Tickets are required for the April 19 event, but for the price of admission you get an open bar, snacks from local restaurants, and a night of dancing under the neon lights. Bonus: Embassy Suites Inner Harbor and the Home2 Suites Downtown are both less than a 5 minute walk—so no matter how late you party, you won’t be far from home.

Whether you’re looking for lights, music, dance, or big ideas, Light City takes more than one night to explore. Make one of our 8 Baltimore hotels your home base for taking in More Love, More Lights this April.